The Government today advised Sri Lankan pilgrims not to visit Mahabodhi temple in Bodh Gaya during next week due to ongoing investigations into the blasts which occurred this morning. A series of explosions in and around Buddhism’s holiest shrine in Bihar injured two persons early on Sunday, in what the Indian government described as a “terror” attack.

The Ministry of Buddha Sasana and Religious Affairs has stated that pandals, lantern exhibitions and dansal should not be conducted on Vesak Poya Day (May 24). Issuing a statement today the ministry sated that the public should only engage in religious observances on Vesak Poya Day and that pandals, lantern exhibitions and dansal should be conducted from May 25, the day after Vesak Poya Day.

Sri Lanka’s Cardinal Malcolm Ranjith heads the Catholic church in a predominantly Buddhist nation, but a stint at the Vatican has made him a long-shot candidate to be the next Pope. A stern traditionalist, Ranjith was appointed by the outgoing Benedict XVI to oversee the church’s liturgical practices in 2005, having previously served as papal nuncio, or ambassador, to Indonesia and East Timor.

Buddhist demanding undiluted control over the Bodh Gaya shrine management got a shot in the arm as researchers have come across an article penned by Nobel laureate Rabindra Nath Tagore favouring Buddhist control over the Bodh Gaya shrine, the seat of Buddha’s enlightenment.

With the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI the Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi, said a successor could be elected by Easter, which falls on March 31. According to the Forbes magazine the name of Archbishop of Colombo Malcolm Cardinal Ranjith was also among those considered to be the successor.

The Pope is to resign at the end of this month in an entirely unexpected development, the Vatican has confirmed. The 85-year-old became Pope Benedict XVI in April 2005 following the death of John Paul II.

The Thalpitiya Bodhirajamaha Viharaya situated near Galle Road between Panadura and Wedduwa is a historic viharaya belonging to the Molligoda Pravachanodaya Piriven vihara tradition. The viharaya originated from the three to four decades old Bodhi situated at its premises.

Most Venerable Napana Premasiri Thero has been appointed as the new Mahanayaka of the Ramanna Maha Nikaya, the Chief Secretary of the Ramanna Nikaya said. The decision was taken by the Committee of the Supreme Council of the Ramanna Chapter which gathered at the Meerigama Divisional Secretariat this morning.